Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
We start on Sunday with a New Zealand gelding whose only previous start was a second-placing behind a subsequent stakes winner. Our focus then shifts across the Tasman, where a pair of promising 3-year-olds will be out to build on strong-finishing fourth-placings on debut.
Gore, Race 2, 10.32am AEDT (12.32pm local), Forest Lodge Mdn, NZ$12,000, 1200m
Buoyant (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Dalghar {Fr} x Miss Minogue {NZ} {Pentire {GB}})
From the Ascot Park stable of renowned strike-rate trainer Sabin Kirkland, Buoyant (NZ) brings form around one of the South Island’s standout 3-year-olds into his second career start in Sunday’s maiden sprint.
The chestnut gelding made his debut over the same distance at Ashburton in early September, making up good ground from third-last to finish second. He was beaten 1.75l by Art De Triomphe (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), who scored a 3l victory in the Listed Canterbury Belle S. in her next start before placing in the G3 Barneswood Farm S.
Bouyant (NZ) as a weanling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Buoyant has also been a 6l winner at the trials, and he looks a clear standout on Sunday with top southern jockey Chris Johnson in the saddle.
Buoyant was offered by Brighthill Farm at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock May Weanling Sale, where he failed to meet his NZ$3000 reserve. He is the first foal to race out of Miss Minogue (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), who is a half-sister to the G3 Tibbie S. winner Spirit Bird (NZ) (Savabeel) and Listed Fairetha S. placegetter First Law (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}).
Sale, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Lords Cleaning Service Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1415m
Mountain Range, 3-year-old colt (Teofilo {Ire} x Andes {Street Cry {Ire}})
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Mountain Range showed promising signs on debut last month, finishing strongly from 10th for a close fourth over 1200 metres at Pakenham on November 25. The extra distance of Sunday’s race looks ideal for the son of Teofilo (Ire), with Ben Allen booked to ride.
Ciaron Maher Racing paid $460,000 to buy Mountain Range from Yulong’s draft at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Mountain Range as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Mountain Range is out of Andes (Street Cry {Ire}), whose full brother Tupac Amaru (Street Cry {Ire}) placed in the G1 Australian Derby. Their half-brother Aramayo (Poet’s Voice {GB}) was Singapore’s Champion Miler in 2020 and has also starred in Australia with a victory in the G3 Spring S. and placings in the G1 Epsom H., G1 Spring Champion S., G2 Tramway S., G2 Autumn Classic, G2 Moonee Valley Vase and G3 Bill Ritchie H.
Second dam Peruvian (GB) (Diktat {GB}) is a half-sister to G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, Coronation Cup and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner and sire In The Wings (GB).
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 2.50pm AEDT (1.50pm local), Cabot’s Fillies & Mares Mdn H., $24,000, 1000m
Argyle Pink, 3-year-old filly (Star Witness x Valentine Miss {Danetime {Ire}})
Trainer Tony Gollan and jockey Ryan Maloney will team up here with promising 3-year-old filly Argyle Pink, who caught the eye with a bold finish for fourth over the same course and distance on debut on November 5.
Argyle Pink was offered by Widden Stud at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where John Foote Bloodstock and Tony Gollan Racing secured her for $165,000.
Argyle Pink as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is a daughter of Valentine Miss (Danetime {Ire}), whose six wins included the G3 How Now S., along with six stakes-placings and fourth-place finishes in the G1 The Goodwood H. and two editions of the G1 Robert Sangster S.
Argyle Pink is currently the only non-winner from three foals to race out of Valentine Miss. Mozzie Monster (Sebring) has won two races and placed in the Listed Bendigo Guineas, while Asterius (Sebring) is a five-race winner.
Looking Back
Elzamee (Deep Impact {Jpn}) won impressively at Newcastle on Saturday, while Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) finished second in the Listed XXXX Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm and Himalaism (I Am Invincible) ran third at Randwick.
